Moss, Donald Francis (sold)

Donald Francis Moss (January 20, 1920 - May 18, 2010) was an American artist and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, Moss grew up in Melrose, a small city 7 miles north of Boston. His passion for capturing sports in art began in high school, when he designed posters that earned him a scholarship to Vesper George Art School, then a prominent institution in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940 and became a Corporal in E. Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. He landed on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands with the Marines on August 7, 1942, and fought on Guadalcanal until it was secured. He also fought on New Britain at Cape Gloucester. Moss drew sketches and painted watercolors of his fellow soldiers, many of which he gave to his subjects who then sent them home as a glimpse of what life was like for a Marine. Once his artistic talent was discovered by the Marine Corps, he was assigned to the Intelligence Section to make maps for the Marines and the Army Air Corps. After the war, Moss moved to New York and enrolled at the Pratt Institute on the GI Bill. He soon began working as a freelance artist creating work for Colliers, Esquire, and Good Housekeeping. He received his first assignment from Sports Illustrated in 1954, beginning a 30-year relationship with the magazine that made Moss one of the most well-known and successful American sports artists. He created more covers and editorial art for Sports Illustrated than any other artist. His last Sports Illustrated cover was published in 1984. He also created work for Olin Skis, Head tennis racquets, and he designed the official poster for Super Bowl XII. He also created work for the Olympics and designed a dozen postage stamps. He was named 1985 Sport Artist of the Year and his art hangs in the American Sport Art Museum and Archives. He designed part of the Guadalcanal American Memorial. Moss married Virginia Haderty Moss, with whom he had three children.